Search

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) studies have revealed distinct white matter (WM) characteristics of the brain following diseases. Beyond the lesion‐symptom maps, stroke is characterized by extensive structural and functional alterations of brain areas remote to local lesions. Here, we further investigated the structural changes over a global level by using DTI data of 10 ischemic stroke patients showing motor impairment due to basal ganglia lesions and 11 healthy controls. DTI data were processed to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA) maps, and multivariate pattern analysis was used to explore brain regions that play an important role in classification based on FA maps. The WM structural network was constructed by the deterministic fiber‐tracking approach. In comparison with the controls, the stroke patients showed FA reductions in the perilesional basal ganglia, brainstem, and bilateral frontal lobes. Using network‐based statistics, we found a significant reduction in the WM subnetwork in stroke patients. We identified the patterns of WM degeneration affecting brain areas remote to the lesions, revealing the abnormal organization of the structural network in stroke patients, which may be helpful in understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying hemiplegia., We identified the patterns of white matter degeneration affecting brain areas remote to the lesions, revealing the abnormal organization of the structural network in stroke patients, which may be helpful in understanding of the neural mechanisms underlying hemiplegia.

Aim To perform a scoping literature review of associations between risk factors in early life and developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Method PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (January 1994–March 2019) were searched to identify studies on early risk factors and motor impairment or DCD. The effect of single and multiple risk factors was assessed. Level of evidence was evaluated following the Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine guidelines. Meta‐analysis on the effect of preterm birth was performed. Results Thirty‐six studies fulfilled inclusion criteria; 35 had evidence level 3, one had level 4. Highest evidence was available that preterm birth and male sex in term‐born children were associated with DCD. The odds ratio of preterm birth was 2.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.43–2.85). Low to moderate evidence was available that parental subfertility, maternal smoking during pregnancy, postnatal corticosteroid treatment in infants born preterm, extra corporeal membrane oxygenation, retinopathy of prematurity, abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging scans at term age, and accumulating perinatal or neonatal risk factors were associated with motor impairment. Interpretation Limited information on early risk factors of DCD is available. Only preterm birth and male sex were consistently associated with an increased risk of DCD. What this paper adds Preterm birth is a risk factor for developmental coordination disorder (DCD).In term‐born children, male sex was consistently associated with DCD.Risk factors for DCD are similar to risk factors for cerebral palsy., What this paper adds Preterm birth is a risk factor for developmental coordination disorder (DCD).In term‐born children, male sex was consistently associated with DCD.Risk factors for DCD are similar to risk factors for cerebral palsy. Video Podcast: https://youtu.be/JTwaqzVo0OU

Objective: Spontaneous recovery is an important determinant of upper extremity recovery after stroke and has been described by the 70% proportional recovery rule for the Fugl–Meyer motor upper extremity (FM-UE) scale. However, this rule is criticized for overestimating the predictability of FM-UE recovery. Our objectives were to develop a longitudinal mixture model of FM-UE recovery, identify FM-UE recovery subgroups, and internally validate the model predictions. Methods: We developed an exponential recovery function with the following parameters: subgroup assignment probability, proportional recovery coefficient r k, time constant in weeks τ k, and distribution of the initial FM-UE scores. We fitted the model to FM-UE measurements of 412 first-ever ischemic stroke patients and cross-validated endpoint predictions and FM-UE recovery cluster assignment. Results: The model distinguished 5 subgroups with different recovery parameters (r 1 = 0.09, τ 1 = 5.3, r 2 = 0.46, τ 2 = 10.1, r 3 = 0.86, τ 3 = 9.8, r 4 = 0.89, τ 4 = 2.7, r 5 = 0.93, τ 5 = 1.2). Endpoint FM-UE was predicted with a median absolute error of 4.8 (interquartile range [IQR] = 1.3–12.8) at 1 week poststroke and 4.2 (IQR = 1.3–9.8) at 2 weeks. Overall accuracy of assignment to the poor (subgroup 1), moderate (subgroups 2 and 3), and good (subgroups 4 and 5) FM-UE recovery clusters was 0.79 (95% equal-tailed interval [ETI] = 0.78–0.80) at 1 week poststroke and 0.81 (95% ETI = 0.80–0.82) at 2 weeks. Interpretation: FM-UE recovery reflects different subgroups, each with its own recovery profile. Cross-validation indicates that FM-UE endpoints and FM-UE recovery clusters can be well predicted. Results will contribute to the understanding of upper limb recovery patterns in the first 6 months after stroke. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:383–393 Ann Neurol 2020;87:383–393.

Self-feeding is a critical self-care skill that unites motor abilities (e.g., grasping and transporting utensils/food to the mouth) and cognitive abilities (e.g., using a spoon as a tool). This cross-sectional study assessed self-feeding behavior in a sample of 38 children with typical development (TD) and compared it between 18 of those children and 18 age- and sex-matched peers with arm movement impairments (MI). Children were assessed with a bowl of cereal and two spoons presented in four different orientations. Results suggested that children with MI were less successful than their TD peers in both motor aspects (e.g., grasp and transport of food and utensils) and cognitive aspects (correct grasp across spoon orientations) of self-feeding. Novel findings highlight: (a) interesting differences in visual attention between children with TD or MI; (b) the role of hand-preference in the correct grasping of the spoon(s) and effective self-feeding; (c) the positive relation between motor and cognitive aspects of self-feeding; and (d) that greater variability of self-feeding behavior relates to improved performance of cognitive aspects of the task. These results identify challenging components of self-feeding for children with MI that should be targeted by early interventions and assistive technologies aimed at increasing self-feeding independence.

In the elderly, brain structural deficits and gait disturbances due to cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) have been well demonstrated. The relationships among CSVD, brain atrophy, and motor impairment, however, are far from conclusive. Particularly, the effect of CSVD on subcortical nuclear atrophy, motor performance of upper extremities, and associating patterns between brain atrophy and motor impairment remains largely unknown. To address these gaps, this study recruited 770 community‐dwelling subjects (35–82 years of age), including both CSVD and non‐CSVD individuals. For each subject, four motor tests involving upper and lower extremities were completed. High‐resolution structural MRI was applied to extract gray matter (GM) volume, white matter volume, cortical thickness, surface area, and subcortical nuclear (caudate, putamen, pallidum, and thalamus) volumes. The results showed worse motor performance of lower extremities but relatively preserved performance of upper extremities in the CSVD group. Intriguingly, there was a significant association between the worse performance of upper extremities and atrophy of whole‐brain GM and pallidum in the CSVD group but not in the non‐CSVD group. In addition, mediation analysis confirmed a functional CSVD‐to‐“brain atrophy”‐to‐“motor impairment” pathway, that is, a mediating role of thalamic atrophy in the CSVD effect on walking speed in the elderly, indicating that CSVD impairs walking performance through damaging the integrity of the thalamus in aging populations. These findings provide important insight into the functional consequences of CSVD and highlight the importance of evaluating upper extremities functions and exploring their brain mechanisms in CSVD populations during aging.

Aim Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of motor impairment in childhood. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, severity and concurrent impairments of CP-related motor impairment among Chinese children. Methods Children with CP-related motor impairment aged 0–17 years were identified through a national population-based survey based on World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Logistic regression models allowing for weights were used to examine individual and family factors in relation to CP-related motor impairment. Results The weighted prevalence of CP-related motor impairment was 1.25 per 1000 children (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.16, 1.35) in China. Male children, children in multiples and in families where adults suffered from CP, were more likely to be affected by CP-related motor impairment. For mild, moderate, severe and extremely severe groups of motor impairment, weighted proportions of CP were 14.12% (95%CI: 11.70, 16.95), 20.35% (95%CI: 17.48, 23.56), 27.44% (95%CI: 24.25, 30.87) and 38.09% (95%CI: 34.55, 41.76), respectively; and weighted proportions of concurrent visual, hearing and cognitive impairment were 5.00% (95%CI: 3.59, 6.91), 6.98% (95%CI: 5.34, 9.08) and 71.06% (95%CI: 67.57, 74.31), respectively. Conclusions Gender, multiple births and family adults with CP were significantly associated with CP-related motor impairment in Chinese children. Proportions of CP and concurrent impairments that increased with severity of motor impairment were observed.

Introduction Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) typically presents with a combination of sensory and motor impairments. Tremor is recognized as a common and debilitating feature in CIDP, although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Methods Clinical tremor severity and disability scores were collected prospectively in 25 CIDP patients and compared with 22 neuromuscular controls. Results Postural and kinetic tremor were significantly more frequent in CIDP patients (80%) than in neuromuscular controls (35%; P

Ageing decreases exercise performance and is frequently accompanied by reductions in cognitive performance. Deterioration in the physiological capacity to stand, locomote and exercise can manifest itself as falling over and represents a significant deterioration in sensorimotor control. In the elderly, falling leads to serious morbidity and mortality with major societal costs. Measurement of a suite of physiological capacities that are required for successful motor performance (including vision, muscle strength, proprioception and balance) has been used to produce a physiological profile assessment (PPA) which has been tracked over the age spectrum and in different diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease). As well as measures of specific physiological capacities, the PPA generates an overall 'score' which quantitatively measures an individual's cumulative risk of falling. The present review collates data from the PPA (and the physiological capacities it measures) as well as its use in strategies to reduce falls in the elderly and those with different diseases. We emphasise that (i) motor impairment arises via reductions in a wide range of sensorimotor abilities; (ii) the PPA approach not only gives a snapshot of the physiological capacity of an individual, but it also gives insight into the deficits among groups of individuals with particular diseases; and (iii) deficits in seemingly restricted and disparate physiological domains (e.g. vision, strength, cognition) are funnelled into impairments in tasks requiring upright balance. Motor impairments become more prevalent with ageing but careful physiological measurement and appropriate interventions offer a way to maximise health across the lifespan.

Objective To describe the perception of caregivers of children with cerebral palsy (CP) concerning social support received and to verify how the characteristics of the children (i.e. type of CP and severity of motor impairment) and those of their caregivers (i.e. age, level of education, occupation, income and number of children) are significantly related to this perception. Method A total of 50 children with CP aged between 3 and 12 years and their respective caregivers participated in this study. Children were grouped in terms of type of CP and according to the severity of motor impairment through the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The Social Support Questionnaire (SSQ) was used to evaluate the perception of caregivers concerning the social support they receive (number of people offering support – SSQ-N index, and level of satisfaction concerning such support – SSQ-S index). Results The caregivers reported receiving support from a mean of 1.67 people. Core and extended family members (i.e. husband, mother, siblings) and friends are the most common providers of support. In regard to level of satisfaction, caregivers considered the support they received to be positive, obtaining a mean of 5.52 out of a total of six points. Children’s and caregivers’ characteristics were not significantly related to the SSQ-N and SSQ-S indexes. Conclusion Family members are the caregivers’ primary source of social support and caregivers reported being satisfied with the support they received.

Yue Wu, Erin L Lousberg, Lachlan M Moldenhauer, John D Hayball, Janet K Coller, Kenner C Rice, Linda R Watkins, Andrew A Somogyi and Mark R Hutchinson

Although clinical studies report motor impairment associated with some painful injuries of the neck, assessment of motor function in animal models has been largely limited only to studies of direct trauma to the nervous system. The incline plane test was modified to evaluate motor function in two rodent pain models of facet joint distraction (FJD) and nerve root compression (NRC) injury (n = 5/group). Sham groups were also included as controls. Motor function was measured using the modified inclined plane test with rats facing downward before surgery (baseline) and following surgery on days corresponding to when mechanical sensitivity is established and remains elevated. Mean baseline values of the board angle inducing slip for FJD (45.8 ± 3.1°) was significantly greater (p = 0.014) than that for NRC (43.5 ± 2.5°), but baseline measurements did not vary for either group over time. No changes in motor function were found for shams. Motor function after FJD significantly decreased (p

Aim Motor skill impairment is a common negative outcome in children born preterm who do not develop cerebral palsy (CP). This study aimed to conduct a systematic review of current data to provide an accurate estimate of the prevalence of non-CP motor impairment in preterm children at school age. Method We searched the Medline, PubMed, and PsycInfo databases and relevant journals to identify all studies published post-1990 that reported the prevalence of motor impairment in school-aged children born preterm (

Aim It has been suggested that one approach to identifying motor impairment in children is to use the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) as a screening tool. The current study examined the validity of the CBCL in identifying motor impairment. Method A total of 398 children, 206 females and 192 males, aged from 3 years 9 months to 14 years 10 months were assessed on the McCarron Assessment of Neuromuscular Development to determine their motor ability. Parents completed the CBCL. Results The ‘Clumsy’ item on the CBCL was found to predict motor ability independent of the child’s age, sex, and scores on other items of the CBCL. However, the sensitivity of the ‘Clumsy’ item in terms of identifying motor impairment was found to be a low 16.7% compared with specificity of 93.2%. The item ‘Not liked’ was also found to be a significant predictor of motor impairment. Interpretation Although the ‘Clumsy’ and ‘Not liked’ items were found to have a relationship with motor ability, they should not be relied upon to categorize children as motor impaired versus not impaired. It is possible that these items may be better indicators of motor impairment in children with developmental disorders such as attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder, but clinical samples are needed to address this.

Aim Traditionally, cerebral palsy (CP) had been classified according to the distribution and quality of motor impairment. A standardized functional classification of gross motor skills has recently been validated – the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The relationship between the neurological subtype of CP and GMFCS level remains undefined in CP. Method The Quebec Cerebral Palsy Registry (Registre de la paralysie cerebrale au Quebec [REPACQ]) over a 4-year birth interval (1999–2002 inclusive) identified 301 children with CP. Information on both CP subtype and GMFCS level was available for 243 children (138 males, 105 females) with final data extraction at a mean age of 44 months (SD 14mo, range 24–79mo). Proportions of children with a particular CP subtype at GMFCS levels I to III versus levels IV to V were determined and compared. Results CP subtype versus GMFCS levels I to III or IV to V was distributed proportionally as follows: spastic diplegic, 51/52 (98%) versus 1/52 (2%); spastic quadriparetic, 20/85 (24%) versus 65/85 (76%); spastic hemiplegic, 76/77 (99%) versus 1/77 (1%); dyskinetic, 4/16 (25%) versus 12/16 (75%); other (triplegic or ataxic–hypotonic), 10/13 (77%) versus 3/13 (23%). These distributions (proportions) all yielded significant (p

SUMMARY This study compared three methods of assessing motor impairment during infancy. The 77 infants studied were considered to be at high risk of motor impairment because of abnormal neonatal cranial ultrasound scans or abnormal somatosensory responses. The children were assessed at eight and 12 months post-term by the Movement Assessment of Infants, the Griffiths locomotor development quotient and the limb-by-limb approach, and the results were compared with clinical assessment at 12 months post-term. The sensitivity of the limb-by-limb approach was highest, although its specificity was slightly lower than the other tests: It was also the easiest to perform. While giving information about the quality of movement, none of these methods is a quantitative test of movement. RESUME Comparaison entre trois facons d‘evoluer la capocite moitice d'IMC de 12 mois Cette etude compare trois methodes d‘evaluation des troubles moteurs durant la premiere enfance. Les 77 nourrissons etudies etaient consideres a haut risque de troubles moteurs en raison d‘echographies craniennes neonatales anormales ou des reponses somatosensorielles anormales. L‘evaluation des nourrissons s'est fait a huit et 12 mois apres le terme par le ‘Movement assessment of infants, le ‘Griffiths Locomotor Development Quotient’ et une approche membre par membre; les resultats furent compares avec une evaluation clinique a 12 mois apres le terme. La sensibilite de I'approche membre par membre fut la plus elevee, bien que sa specificite fut legerement plus faible que celle des autres tests. Ce fut la plus facile a realiser. Bien que donnant des informations sur la qualite du mouvement, aucune de ces methodes n'est un test quantitatif de mouvements. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Vergleich von drei Methoden zur Beirtieilirng der motorischen Fahigkeiten bei 12 Monate alten Kindern mit Cerebralparese Dicse Studie vergleicht drei Methoden zur Beurteilunp von motorischen Storungen im Kindesalter. Bei den 77 untersuchten Kindern war aufgrund abnormer Schadelsonogramme in der Neonatalperiods und abnormer somatosensorischer Reaktionen ein erhohtes Risiko fur motorische Storungen angenommen worden. Die Kinder wurden acht und 12 Monate nach dem Termin mit dem Movement Assessment of Infants, dern Griffiths Locomotor Development Quotient und dem Limb-by-Limb Approach untersucht und die Ergebnisse wurden mit der klinischen Beurteilung im Alter von 12 Monaten nach dem Termin verglichen. Die Sensitivitat des Limb-by-Limb Approach war am hochsten, obwohl die Spezifitat geringgradig niedriger war als die der anderen Tests. Es war auch die am einfachsten durchzuruhrende Methode. Sie liefern Informationen uber die Qualitat der Bewegung. aber keine dieser Methoden ist ein quantitativer Bewegungstest. RESUMEN Comparacion de tres procedimientos para evaluar la habilidad motora en 12 lactanres de 12 meses de edad con paralisis cerebral Este estudio compara tres metodos de evaluar la alteracion motora en la lactante. Los 77 lactantes estudiados eran considerados como de alto riesgo de alteracion motora debido a que presentaban imagenes ecograficas craneales anomalas o respuestas anomalas somatosensoriales. Los nino fueron evaluados a los ocho y 12 mews post-termino por los metodos ‘Evaluacion de los Movimientos en Lactantes, ‘Concicnte de desarrollo motor de Griffith’ ye el de ‘Aproximacion miembro a miembro, y los resultados se compararon con la evaluacion clinica a los 12 meses de edad posttermino. La sensibilidad del metodo miembro a miembro fue la mas alta, aunque su especificidad era ligeramente mas baja que los otros tesis. Tambien fue la prueba mas facil de realizar. Si bien dan informacion de la calidad del movimiento, ninguno de estos metodos es un test cuantitativo del movimiento.

SUMMARY 32 patients with hypernasal speech, without overt cleft palate or the generally accepted signs of submucous cleft palate, underwent a comprehensive evaluation including neurological examination. Videofluoroscopic demonstration of air escape through the velopharyngeal space during phonation was a criterion for inclusion in the study population, but the fluoroscopic abnormalities observed were not pathognomonic of neurological dysfunction. Hearing loss, which was generally mild or unilateral in affected patients, showed no definite relationship with other neurological abnormalities. 17 of the 32 patients had unequivocal motor abnormalities. Probable etiologies for motor impairment and velopharyngeal insufficiency could be specified in nine patients (28 per cent of the study population and 53 per cent of those with motor impairment). The presence of motor abnormalities was frequently associated with articulation disorders other than hypernasal resonance. Localization of the lesion responsible for velopharyngeal insufficiency was to some extent possible in 31 per cent of the study population. In two patients, velopharyngeal insufficiency was attributable to myopathies. The presence of bilateral corticospinal tract dysfunction supported a diagnosis of corticobulbar (pseudobulbar) palsy in eight patients. RESUME Insuffisance velopharyngee; approche neurologique. Etude de 32 cas 32 patients avec langage nasonne, sans bee de lievre cutane et sans les signes generalement admis de fissure palatine sous muqueuse ont ete soigneusement etudies, en particulier d'un point de vue neurologique. La demonstration videofluoroscopique d'une fuite d'air a travers l'espace velopharynge durant la phonation a ete le critere d'apparte-nance a la population etudide mais les anomalies fluoroscopiques observers netaient pas pathognomoniques d'un trouble neurologique. La perte d'audition generalement moderee et uni-laterale chez les sujets atteints netait pas en relation definie avec les autres anomalies neurologiques. 17 des 32 patients presentaient des anomalies motrices indiscutables. Une etiologie probable pour l'alteration motrice et l'insuffisance velopharynede a pu etre donnee chez neuf patients (28 pour cent de la population etudiee et 53 pour cent des sujets avec troubles moteurs) La presence d'anomalies motrices etait frequemment associee a des desordres articulatoires autres que le nasonnement. La localisation de la lesion responsable de l'insuffisance velopharynede fut a un certain degre possible dans 31 pour cent des cas de la population etudiee. Chez deux patients l'insuffisance velopharynede put etre attribuee a une myopathic Chez huit patients, la presence de troubles des faisceaux spinaux bilateraux a permis un diagnostic de paralysie corticobulbaire (pseudo-bulbaire). ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Velopharyngeale Insuffizienz: aus neurologischer Sicht. Ein Bericht uber 32 Patienten 32 Patienten mit stark ausgepragter nasaler Sprache ohne Gaumenspalte oder ohne die anerkannten Zeichen einer submukosen Gaumenspalte wurden eingehend unter Beruck-sichtigung der Neurologie untersucht. Patienten, bei denen videofluoroskopisch nach-gewiesen wurde, dass bei der Phonation Luft aus dem velopharyngealen Raum austrat, wurden in die Studie aufgenommen. Die beobachteten fluoroskopischen Befunde waren jedoch nicht pathognomonisch fur eine neurologische Dysfunktion. Eine Horeinschrank-ung, die bei den betroffenen Patienten normalerwiese leicht oder einseitig war, stand in keinem Verhaltnis zu anderen neurologischen Befunden. 17 der 32 Patienten zeigten eindeutige motorische Storungen. Die wahrscheinlichen Ursachen fur die motorische Stoning und velopharyngeale Insuffizienz konnten bei neun Patienten dargestellt werden (28 Prozent der Studiengruppe und 53 Prozent der Patienten mit motorischen Storungen). Motorische Storungen waren neben der nasalen Sprache haufig noch mit anderen Artikulationsstorungen verbunden. Bei 31 Prozent der Patienten konnte die Lasion bis zu einem gewissen Grad lokalisiert werden, durch die velopharyngeale Insuffizienz verursacht wurde. Bei zwei Patienten war die Ursache der velopharyngealen Insuffizienz ein Myopathic Eine bilaterale kortikospinale Dysfunktion fuhrte zur Diagnose einer kortikobulbaren (pseudobulbaren) Lahmung bei acht Patienten. RESUMEN Insuficiencia velofaringea: perspectiva neurologica. Aportacion de 32 casos 32 pacientes con lenguaje hipernasal sin fisura palatina y sin los signos generalmente aceptados de un paladar con hendiduras submucosa fueron sujetos a una evaluacion global incluyendo examen neurologico. La demostracion videofluoroscopica de escape de aire a traves del espacio velofaringeo durante la fonacion fue un criterio para la inclusidn en la poblacion estudiada, pero las anomalfas fluoroscopicas observadas no eran patog-nombnicas de una disfuncion neurologica. La perdida de la audicion que por lo general era suave o unilateral en los pacientes afectados, no mostro ninguna relacion definida con las otras anomalias neurologicas. 17 de los 32 pacientes surfian anomalias motoras inequivocas. Las etiologias probables para la alteracion motora y la insuficiencia velofaringea pudieron ser especificadas en nueve pacientes (28 por ciento de la poblacion estudiada y S3 por ciento de los que tenian una alteracion motora). La presencia de anomalias motoras estaba frecuentemente asociada con alteraciones de la articulacon aparte de la resonancia hipernasal. La localizacion de la lesibn responsable de la insuficiencia velofaringea fue posible hasta cierto punto en 31 por ciento de la poblacion estudiada. En dos pacientes la insuficiencia velofaringea se atribuyb a miopatias. La presencia de una disfuncion corticoespinal bilateral apoyd el diagnbstico de corticobulbar (seudobulbar) paralisis en ocho pacientes.

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) tend to speak monotonously with minor modulation of pitch and intensity. The goal of this study was to find out whether these speech changes can be explained mainly by motor impairment, i.e. akinesia and rigidity of the articulatory apparatus, or whether alterations of emotional processing play an additional role. Sixteen patients with mild PD and 16 healthy controls (HC) were compared. Fundamental frequencies (pitch) and intensities (loudness) were determined as (1) maximal upper and lower values achieved in nonemotional speech (phonation capacity), (2) upper and lower values used when speaking "Anna" in emotional intonation (neutral, sad, happy) as requested (production task), or (3) when imitating a professional speaker (imitation task). Although groups did not significantly differ in their phonation capacity, patients showed a significantly smaller pitch and intensity range than HC in the production task. In the imitation task, however, ranges were again similar. These results suggest that alterations of emotional processing contribute to speech changes in PD, especially regarding emotional prosody, in addition to motor impairment.

The purpose of the study was to quantify the aging-related differences in endpoint accuracy during isometric contractions of the left and right hands based on the prediction that declines in motor performance with aging may be greater for muscles controlled by the right hemisphere. Twelve young (6 men, 25 ± 5 years) and 12 old (6 men, 76 ± 6 years) adults performed a task that involved matching the peak of a force–time trajectory to a target. The old adults were less accurate than the young men and exhibited greater endpoint error with the left hand than the right hand on day 1, but not on days 2 and 3. Although electromyographic amplitude was similar between hands, old adults exhibited greater timing variability. These findings indicate that given sufficient practice there was no difference in endpoint accuracy between the left and right hands of old adults, which is not consistent with the prediction of an asymmetrical decline in motor performance by the right-hemisphere aging model. Conversely, an inability by an old adult to achieve similar accuracy with both hands during such tasks likely indicates an underlying motor impairment. Muscle Nerve, 2007

This study explored the relationships between the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS), limb distribution, and type of motor impairment. Data used were collected in the Ontario Motor Growth study, a longitudinal cohort study with a population-based sample of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Canada (n=657; age 1 to 13 years at study onset). The majority (87.8%) of children with hemiplegia were classified as level I. Children with a bilateral syndrome were represented in all GMFCS levels, with most in levels III, IV, and V. Classifications by GMFCS and 'limb distribution' or by GMFCS and 'type of motor impairment' were statistically significantly associated (Pearson's chi2 p

Objectives To determine the potential utility of the frontal assessment battery (FAB) in assessing cognitive impairments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated the association between the FAB score and regional gray matter volume, and ascertained whether the regional brain alterations related to cognitive impairments occur in relatively mild stage of ALS. Materials and Methods Twenty‐four ALS patients with a Mini‐Mental State Examination score of >23, a normal score on the Self‐Rating Depression Scale, little or no disturbance in speech and handling utensils on the ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS), and normal measures on respiratory tests (respiratory function test and arterial blood gas analysis), and two age‐matched normal control groups (one for FAB assessment and the other for brain morphometry) underwent FAB testing and structural magnetic resonance imaging. We applied voxel‐based morphometry to investigate the relationship between the FAB score and regional brain alteration, and assessed the relationship between the altered regional brain volume and ALSFRS or respiratory tests. Results Frontal assessment battery scores were significantly lower in ALS patients than in normal controls. Volume reduction in the right orbitofrontal gyrus in ALS was correlated with a lower FAB score. There was no correlation between the right orbitofrontal gyrus volume and ALSFRS or respiratory tests. Conclusions The results suggest that the FAB is an adequate tool for detecting cognitive impairments related to frontal lobe pathology in the relatively mild stage of ALS, independent of physical dysfunctions.

Background: Sensitivity to the motor-impairing and hypnotic effects of ethanol (EtOH) increases notably during development. Less is known, however, about the ontogeny of EtOH tolerance and the ontogenetic relationship among different types of tolerance. Consequently, we compared the ontogenetic development of acute, rapid, and chronic tolerance to EtOH-induced motor impairment and hypothermia in a swim task. Methods: Preweanling, adolescent, and adult female and male Sprague-Dawley rats were given chronic saline (control group), five daily EtOH exposures before EtOH on test day (chronic group), one EtOH exposure before test day (rapid group), or EtOH exposure only on test day (acute groups). Separate groups of animals in the acute groups were tested at 15, 60, or 105 min after injection to estimate acute tolerance development via calculating slopes of the linear regression of impairment relative to brain alcohol levels at each postinjection interval. Initial EtOH perturbation of swim performance was equated across age by varying EtOH dose. Results: Acute tolerance was evident to the motor-impairing effects of EtOH at all ages. When impairment was indexed relative to brain alcohol levels, rapid and chronic tolerance to the motor-impairing effects of EtOH on latency to reach the start was seen across age, although this tolerance tended to be more pronounced in adults. Somewhat different ontogenetic patterns of tolerance development were observed with EtOH-induced hypothermia, a dependent measure for which EtOH perturbation was not equated across age. Conclusions: The degree of initial perturbation by EtOH seems to be an important predictor of tolerance expression during ontogeny. That is, ontogenetic profiles of tolerance development differ significantly when EtOH-induced motor impairment is equated across age rather than dose of EtOH administered . The role of target response measures and context stress should also be considered when exploring ontogenetic expression of EtOH tolerance.

Background: Research comparing the alcohol-preferring (P) and -nonpreferring (NP) rat lines has detected an apparent association between ethanol preference and lower responsivity to ethanol, as well as the capacity to develop and maintain tolerance to ethanol's effects. However, past studies of tolerance to ethanol's effects generally involved relatively high doses. The present study examined recovery from functional impairment induced by moderate doses of ethanol after a single dose (responsivity) and after multiple doses (development of tolerance) in the P and NP rat lines. Method: Adult female P and NP rats were trained, for 5 consecutive days, to stay on an oscillating bar for 120 sec. Rats were then assigned to one of three groups to receive 1.0, 1.25, or 1.5 g/kg ethanol for 5 consecutive test days. Rats were tested each day at 15-min intervals, following intraperitoneal injection, until recovery to the 120 sec criterion. Results: On the first test day, NP rats took longer to recover to criterion than the P rats following the 1.0 and 1.25 g/kg doses, whereas at the 1.5 g/kg dose no line difference was evident. Trunk blood alcohol concentrations (BACs), associated with time to recovery, indicated higher values for the P than NP rat on day 1 following injection of the two lower doses. Compared to day 1, NP rats demonstrated significantly shorter times to recovery beginning on day 2 following injections of the 1.0 and 1.25 g/kg doses. However, NP rats did not show significantly different recovery times on days 2–5 compared to day 1 following injection of the 1.5 g/kg dose. The shorter recovery times at the 1.0 and 1.25 g/kg doses were associated with BACs at recovery on day 3 being equal to or greater than values obtained on day 1. In contrast, compared to day 1, P rats did not show shorter recovery times until days 3 and 5 following the 1.0 and 1.25 g/kg doses, respectively. However, P rats did demonstrate shorter recovery times on day 2 and higher BACs on day 3 compared to day 1 following the 1.5 g/kg dose. Conclusion: With regard to motor impairment, lower responsivity to moderate doses of ethanol may be a factor associated with high alcohol-seeking behavior. The present results confirm past research supporting an association between ethanol preference and low ethanol responsivity but at doses that are more reflective of those self-administered by P rats.

Systemically administered mexiletine, an antiarrhythmic, has been shown to also possess analgesic properties in some conditions of neuropathic pain. It has been suggested that the analgesic effect of mexiletine may be derived from the action of one of its optical isomers, (+)(S)-mexiletine. In the present study, we have compared the effects of systemic (-)-(R)- and (+)-(S)-mexiletine, on chronic mechanical allodynia-like behaviour in spinally injured rats, a model of central neuropathic pain in which racemic mexiletine has been shown to be active. I.p. racemic mexiletine as well as (-)-(R)- and (+)(S)-mexiletine at 25 mg/kg all produced significant, but brief, alleviation of mechanical allodynia in a similar fashion as assessed with von-Frey hair elicited vocalization in the spinally injured rats. A slight increase in motor impairment was observed in all three groups which reached statistical significance for the racemic mexiletine and (+)-(S)-mexiletine. Our results suggest that both isomers of mexiletine contribute to the antiallodynic effect in this model of central pain.

In this issue of European Journal of Pain you will find a paper by Bank and colleagues (Bank et al., 2015) entitled Intended and unintended (sensori-)motor coupling between the affected and unaffected upper limb in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Bank et al. measured intentional and unintentional coupling of limb movements in 20 patients with upper-limb CRPS and 40 healthy controls in an attempt to differentiate impairments in voluntary and automatic sensorimotor processes in CRPS patients. The participants performed wrist flexion–extension movements in tasks known to engage intentional inter-limb coupling: active bimanual movements, requiring in-phase or anti-phase patterns with the two hands; kinaesthetic tracking, requiring active unimanual movements to consciously track automated (passive) movements of the opposite limb; and unintentional inter-limb coupling (active unimanual movements timed to a metronome while ignoring automated, passive movements of the opposite limb). Two results stand out: (1) performance was impaired in CRPS patients in tasks engaging intentional but not unintentional coupling of limb movements; (2) variability in performance of all movement tasks was significantly greater in CRPS patients than in healthy controls. Interestingly, motor impairment and variability were greatest when the affected limb was the voluntarily active limb.

The present Letter describes a one-pot multi-component method that allows the efficient and mild preparation of 3,5-diphenylpiperidin-2,6-dione and a new series of 3,5-diarylpiperidin-2,6-dione derivatives from ethyl 2-arylacetates, formaldehyde and ammonia/aliphatic/aromatic amines. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by IR, NMR spectroscopic data and microanalyses. The anticonvulsant activities of these compounds were evaluated by maximal electroshock seizure test and were also evaluated for motor impairment. Among the synthesized compounds, 5a, 5b, 5d, and 5e could be considered potentially the most useful and safe therapeutic compound and 5g, 5i, 5j, 5m, and 5o exhibit potent activities.

Brain damage, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's or Huntington's disease can cause severe motor deficits in skilled forelimb use in both humans and rats. These deficits are typically analyzed in a reach-to-eat paradigm. Skilled reaching in rats has been found to be a good model of human skilled reaching. Therefore, rats serve as an excellent tool to monitor the development of deficits after neurological insults or changes after medical intervention. The following protocols comprise two different tests of rat skilled reaching. The single pellet reaching test is a paradigm that involves detailed rating and analysis of qualitative aspects of the reaching movement itself. The staircase test is an objective, high-throughput reaching task that allows reaching success (number of pellets eaten) to be investigated in multiple rats at the same time. Both tests have been used extensively to investigate motor deficits and effects of treatment.

Four subjects aged between 29 and 60 years were examined because of axial motor impairment after hypoxic brain injury. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed circumscribed lesions of the globus pallidus in every case. The association of freezing of the gait, speech disorders, axial bradykinesia, and postural disturbances, with no rigidity or tremor and little or no distal akinesia, suggests a role of the globus pallidus in controlling axial motion.

A series of 1-(6-substituted-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-3-(substituted phenyl)hexahydro-2,4,6-pyrimidinetriones 4a-t were synthesized starting from substituted anilines. These compounds contained two active anticonvulsant pharmacophores, benzothiazole and barbituric acid. Structures of the compounds were confirmed on the basis of different spectroscopic techniques. All the compounds were evaluated for their anticonvulsant activity. Three compounds 4c, 4d, and 4s showed promising anticonvulsant activities in Maximal Electroshock Seizure test (MES) and subcutaneous pentylenetetrazole test (scPTZ). They also displayed a wide safety profile when tested for the minimal motor impairment test.

Comment, Letter, FLWIN, info:eu-repo/semantics/published